Microsoft launches first IoT innovation hub in Asia

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Microsoft launched its first IoT (internet of things) innovation hub in Asia, aiming to link startups, research institutes, and local partners with the company’s network as it further expands its network in the continent.

Based in Taipei, Taiwan, the IoT Innovation Center is expected to offer cross-discipline technology transfer, strategic alliances, business model transformation, and innovation opportunities to its clients.

“Asia is a critical and rapidly growing IoT market that is important to Microsoft. We have deployed the Azure IoT Suite to multiple regions in the world and believe that through the first Microsoft IoT Expo in Asia, our market leading IoT offerings and the newly launched Microsoft IoT Innovation Center will enable customers and partners to realize the enormous business potential of IoT,” Sam George, general manager of Azure IoT at Microsoft said.

The center will act as a link between regional IoT partners and the world, covering research and development for project integration, technology development, and international collaboration, the company said.

As IoT solutions will need to be tested, verified, and improved via actual clients’ projects, the Innovation Center will also include an IoT Community Lab. The lab will provide partners with IoT technology training, professional consultation, and three IoT Scenario Labs, delivering tailor-made services, such as technology development, architecture design, and business consultation.

“The Microsoft IoT Innovation Center in Taiwan is our starting point to capture the booming IoT opportunity in Asia. We’ve collaborated with close to 50 companies at the Innovation Center and based on the initial interest, we expect to have many more join us before the end of the year,” Chris Phillips, a general manager at Microsoft, said in a statement.